"I believe everyone is already somewhat aware of this incident."

Lu Yongchang didn't waste any words and got straight to the point.

"In your opinion, how should we deal with those surrendered Latol people?"

The moment the question was raised, a murmur of discussion immediately filled the meeting room.

Almost everyone's face showed hesitation and confusion.

That's normal.

Unlike the Battle of Proxima Centauri, in order to save time and eliminate future troubles, there were no prisoners of war after the war ended—humanity adopted a genocide plan.

Therefore, this cross-civilizational treatment of prisoners of war is unprecedented in human history.

Seeing the conflicted and hesitant expressions on everyone's faces, Lü Yongchang did not show the slightest impatience.

He simply sat quietly in his seat, his gaze slowly sweeping over the people around him.

Clearly, the chief scientist's gaze is not something easily endured.

Whether they were academicians in the Chinese Academy of Sciences or members of parliament, most of them subconsciously lowered their heads and avoided eye contact when they met Lü Yongchang's gaze.

On the one hand, it is because over the past few hundred years, as a figure who single-handedly led the entire human civilization out of Earth and into the universe, Lü Yongchang's status in people's hearts has become almost mythical.

On the other hand, it's also because this meeting is a hot potato.

Although the meeting was ostensibly to discuss the treatment of the prisoners of war from Lattor, the core issue was actually related to humanity's future attitude towards alien civilizations.

Contact with and dealing with different civilizations has always been an extremely sensitive issue.

If not handled properly, it can easily lead to extremely negative consequences.

As a result, not only the members of parliament, but also the academicians of the Academy of Sciences, did not dare to express their opinions first.

Only a few seasoned veterans dared to not only make eye contact with Lü Yongchang, but even dared to make a few micro-expressions expressing helplessness and confusion.

That's right, they're talking about Fang Xu.

Watching Fang Xu shrug, shake his head, and spread his hands in such a smooth motion, Lü Yongchang felt somewhat helpless.

"cough!"

"Fang Xu, why don't you share your thoughts first?"

The meeting had to continue.

Since no one was willing to be the first to express their opinion, he had no choice but to find a "recruit" from among them.

When called upon by Lü Yongchang, Fang Xu performed a "Peking Opera face-changing" act in a short moment.

From his initial helpless shrugs, head shakes, and hand shrugs, to his astonishment at being called out, and finally, when he realized that "the world was focused on him," his astonishment quickly dissipated, replaced by utmost solemnity and reverence.

"Cough cough!"

Fang Xu coughed lightly, cleared his throat, and said, "I think we can refer to the Proxima Centauri civilization's approach to dealing with the Lator prisoners of war."

The moment the words were spoken, a cacophony of discussion erupted in the meeting room.

Fang Xu's meaning was quite clear.

Genocide plan.

Leave no one alive!

Such a radical approach immediately sparked numerous debates.

The reactions from lawmakers were particularly strong.

Unlike the other members of parliament who were shocked and terrified, Lü Yongchang did not show any unusual expression on his face.

To be honest, what Fang Xu said was actually his own answer.

As for Speaker Hung Chi-ming, he, like Lu Yung-chang, remained silent, his face showing no emotion whatsoever.

"Those who are not of our kind will surely have different hearts; I'm sure you all understand this saying."

Seeing that the discussion had subsided slightly, Fang Xu spoke again: "Humans have not come into contact with many civilizations, but we can still discern the laws of survival in this universe."

"Survival of the fittest."

"Kindness to foreign races will one day become a knife that stabs humanity itself."

At this point, Fang Xu stopped speaking and turned to look at Lü Yongchang beside him: "Professor, this is my point of view."

Lu Yongchang nodded noncommittally, then glanced at everyone again and asked softly, "Any other opinions?"

"I object!"

A councilor sitting in the corner suddenly spoke up: "Unlike the Proxima Centauri civilization."

"At that time, it was understandable to resort to genocide in order to ensure the continuation of human civilization."

"But now, human civilization does not have such an urgent need."

"Current technology is sufficient to allow us to freely select resource-rich star systems within 20 light-years."

As he spoke, the councilor glanced cautiously at Lü Yongchang.

Seeing that Lü Yongchang did not show any objection, he composed himself and spoke again.

"In my opinion, there are several advantages to preserving these Latol people."

"On the one hand, we can gain a deeper understanding of the survival rules of interstellar civilizations through these Lators."

"We cannot view the universe based solely on the perspective of a painting."

"On the other hand, dialogue and exchange between different civilizations can greatly promote our cultural and technological development."

“We can even learn some lessons from their social systems.”

"Moreover... treating prisoners of war well is a principle that humanity has always followed, and I'm sure you all understand the reasons behind it."

"To some extent, we can transform them into subordinate civilizations of humanity."

"I believe that in future wars, these subordinate civilizations could significantly reduce human soldier casualties."

Lü Yongchang's expression shifted slightly.

He didn't care about the congressman's first two points.

But the last point, I must say, really struck a chord with him.

Every interstellar war is accompanied by the deaths of a large number of soldiers and generals.

Once any affiliated civilizations join the war, he can easily send them to the battlefield to serve as so-called "cannon fodder."

This can greatly reduce the casualty rate of the human fleet!

Furthermore, the advantages of subordinate civilizations are not limited to warfare!

In the absence of interstellar wars, these subordinate civilizations can continuously supply "blood" to the parent civilization.

This so-called "blood" refers to all sorts of resources.

Undoubtedly, this can greatly accelerate the development of the mother civilization!

"no!"

Just as Lü Yongchang was pondering the various advantages of a subordinate civilization, a loud shout came from the side: "A subordinate civilization won't work!"

He looked up and gazed in the direction from which the sound came.

It's Zhao Zijie.

The military, as part of the Academy of Sciences, is naturally also qualified to participate in this meeting.

As the overall tactical commander of the human fleet, Zhao Zijie is one of the military's representatives.

Perhaps noticing Lü Yongchang's gaze, Zhao Zijie turned his head and gave Lü Yongchang an inquiring look.

Lu Yongchang nodded slightly and gave him an encouraging look.

"Zhao Zijie, what are your thoughts?"

Why oppose the proposal of a subordinate civilization?